Executive Producer Jim Horowitz announced on Thursday the performers for the fourth Sonoma Jazz + festival, bringing musical all-stars from the genres of funk, jazz, and blues/pop/rock to the Field of Dreams this coming Memorial Day weekend. The schedule will be as follows:
Thursday, May 22: Kool and the Gang
With songs like, “Celebration,” “Cherish,” “Jungle Boogie,” “Summer Madness,” “Open Sesame” “Ladies Night,” Kool and the Gang sold 70 million albums, earning two Grammys, seven American Music Awards, 25 Top Ten R & B hits, nine Top Ten Pop hits, and 31 gold and platinum albums. Their music helped define a generation.
Friday, May 23: Herbie Hancock
Herbie Hancock stands apart from all the musicians of his genre in the past 50 years, both in his ability to play at the very highest level with the creative geniuses of the form, and to create music that is accessible and audience-friendly. In recent years, he has collaborated with the likes of Joni Mitchell, Stevie Wonder, Kathleen Battle and the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra, with his jazz comrades Wayne Shorter and Chick Corea, as well as Sting, Annie Lennox, John Mayer, Paul Simon and Carlos Santana.
Saturday, May 24: Diana Krall
After winning a scholarship to Berkeley School of Music, Diana Krall was “adopted” as a protégé by the great bassist Ray Brown (husband of Ella Fitzgerald, and member of the Oscar Peterson Trio). Her third album, “All For You,” was nominated for a Grammy, and her fourth, Love Scenes, established her as a star.
Sunday, May 25: Bonnie Raitt
In 1971, her self-named first album established her as an important blues voice. In 1990 she collaborated with her old mentor John Lee Hooker to produce a duet on Hooker’s breakthrough, the career-revitalizing The Healer. Then she really hit her stride, earning three Grammys for Nick of Time, and then selling 7 x platinum for Luck of the Draw, with its hit song, “Let’s Give Them Something to Talk About.” In 2000 she was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and the honor fits.
Sunday, May 25: Keb’ Mo, special guest
Coming of age in the ‘80s, his is a post-modern adaptation of the blues, informed with many other genres, but sharing the fundamentally wise story-telling basis of the mother music. From his eponymous first release through Keep It Simple and Peace…Back by Popular Demand to his latest release, Suitcase, he has brought an artistry and sophistication to the blues that has earned him three Grammys and a passionate following.
As in past festivals, “Wine and Song” on May 24 and May 25 will present a wide variety of small group performances.
Sonoma Jazz + is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, supported both through generous patrons, led by its locally based board of directors, and by major corporate sponsors. Returning as Founding Sponsors in 2008 are Hearthstone, Bay Area News Group, Union Bank of California, Sherman-Clay Pianos, Fiji Water, Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn and Sonoma Wine Country Weekend. Media sponsors include NBC-11, Outside’s Go Magazine and Comcast.
A “Locals Special” early pre-sale for residents of Sonoma will be held Saturday, March 8 at the Sonoma Community Center from 2 – 6 p.m. Tickets go on sale to the general public on Monday March 10 at 10 a.m. at www.sonomajazz.org or by phoning 866-527-8499. Ticket and lodging packages will be available at 800-914-7511 or www.sonomacounty.com.
